Interview: Millennial Enrolled in our Homeownership Program

One of the most common misconceptions about Habitat for Humanity is that you must have a family with children to be accepted into our program. Actually, this is a great program for first-time home-buyers… especially millennials who are just starting their careers. We interviewed a gentleman, who wishes to remain anonymous, but is a single man from the millennial generation who is currently enrolled in our Homeownership Program at Macomb Habitat. He had his own set of challenges but is overcoming them one by one and is learning a lot about himself in the process.

Q: What is your background story:

A: I was previously living in Detroit. I was not in a good neighborhood with lots of crime.

I moved to Clinton Township and moved in with my sister and her son. However, as her son is getting older, our living arrangement is becoming more and more cramped. I would like a place to call my own and maybe start a family of my own in the near future.

Q: Do you think that being a single man made any difference in you being accepted into the program?

A: No! The organization doesn’t discriminate against single person households. They are here to help low income individuals and families achieve their dream of owning a home.

Q: What has it meant to “partner” with Macomb County Habitat and work toward that dream home?

A: It’s awesome! Without Habitat it would have been next to impossible to get a conventional mortgage and pay a 10% – 20% down payment.

Q: What requirements of the Habitat program do you have left to complete?

A: I’m pretty close. I have some more sweat equity to do and I have to complete the Homeownership training course.

Q: What are some of the challenges that you have met in preparing to close on a home?

A: I actually had to learn how to establish credit, I didn’t have bad credit – I just had no credit history. It is a challenge at times to complete the sweat equity while working full time but it is possible and just staying on course without getting discouraged by the length of time it takes.

Q: What advantages do you see in becoming a “homeowner”?

A: Having a place to myself that is solely my responsibility, and the pride of being a homeowner.